Chapter 9 – The God of Misfortune Has Arrived

After leaving the Jinyiwei Commandant’s Office, Mu Nanjin headed straight for Xiaoqing Tower. She moved so swiftly that by the time Tang Jingrui gave chase, not even her shadow was in sight.

“If I’d known she was going to waste her reward like this, I should’ve handed it all to Father instead,” Tang Jingrui muttered bitterly. “Let’s see if she’d still have the nerve to run wild then.”

He hadn’t expected Mu Nanjin to become so bold—or to actually go wandering into a brothel.

However, it wasn’t yet opening hours at Xiaoqing Tower. The gates stood closed, the courtyard deserted, and the air inside was unnervingly still. Mu Nanjin waited outside for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, yet no one came to open the door.

“How disappointing.”

With a sigh, she turned away and headed to a large pharmacy across the street. She spent two whole hours wandering through the aisles, buying a pile of medicinal herbs. By the time she left, only a single tael of silver remained in her purse.

Her mood soured further. Just now, when she wanted to visit the brothel, it hadn’t been open. Now that it was, she had no money left to spend.

“Shopkeeper,” she said, setting down the heavy bundle of herbs, “deliver these to the residence of Tang Wenzong, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Tell him they were purchased by Mu Nanjin.”

“Right away, miss!” The shopkeeper grinned eagerly.

Tossing the lone tael of silver in her hand, Mu Nanjin sauntered back toward Xiaoqing Tower. As she reached the entrance, she noticed a few patrons entering. She flipped the silver coin to the doorkeeper, then stopped just short of going in.

It wasn’t that she had to enter—she was simply bored out of her mind in this ancient world and wanted to find some amusement.

Or perhaps… she could visit the gambling house and turn that one tael into ten thousand?

Just as that mischievous thought crossed her mind, a middle-aged man came out of the brothel. The moment he saw Mu Nanjin standing outside, his face drained of color. He hastily pulled up his sleeve to cover his face and bolted back toward his companions.

“Mu Nanjin! Mu Nanjin’s outside!” he hissed.

The group of officials who had been laughing merrily moments ago froze in terror. Panic swept through them like wildfire. They leapt to their feet, eyes wide.

“Where is she? Did she come inside?”

“Why is that God of Misfortune here?!”

“Hide! Quickly! If she sees us, by tomorrow the entire court will know we were at Xiaoqing Tower! I’ll never live down the shame!”

The courtesans attending them blinked in confusion.

“My lords, what’s wrong?”

The Right Assistant Minister of Rites barked, “We need a private room—now! Take us upstairs, quickly!”

Startled by their urgency, the attendants dared not delay and hurriedly led them to the second floor.

The group covered their faces with their sleeves as they scurried up the stairs, sneaking about like thieves.

From the topmost window, Gong Xiurong—who had been drinking leisurely—spotted the commotion. He called over a madam. “Why do those officials look like mice running from a cat? Did someone of higher rank show up outside?”

The madam shook her head. “I’m not sure, young master. I only overheard them say that someone named Mu Nanjin has arrived. I don’t know who that is.”

“Mu Nanjin?” Gong Xiurong frowned. The name sounded familiar. “Wasn’t that the name of the female Jinyiwei who came to the dungeon yesterday?”

He rose, walked to the opposite window, and pushed it open. Sure enough, below stood a young girl dressed in the signature flying-fish robes of the Jinyiwei.

Judging by her rank insignia, she was only a Ninth-rank officer. Yet somehow, she struck fear into officials of the Third rank. That alone piqued his curiosity.

“Bring her up,” Gong Xiurong ordered. “Tell her I wish to see her.”

“Yes, young master.”

The madam hurried downstairs and greeted Mu Nanjin with a smile. “Miss Mu, our Young Master Gong would like to meet you.”

Mu Nanjin raised a brow. “So he’s back?”

“Yes,” the madam said with a knowing grin, glancing upstairs.

Following her gaze, Mu Nanjin looked up—and there was Gong Xiurong, leaning against the window, raising his wine cup in greeting.

【Hehe, looks like those buns I gave him really did the trick.】

Upstairs, the officials hiding in the second-floor room perked their ears, eavesdropping shamelessly.

Mu Nanjin followed the madam inside Xiaoqing Tower.

Though the servants were still tidying up, the faint scent of powder and wine already hung in the air. The main hall was lively again—common patrons caroused in the open hall, while the wealthy secluded themselves in private rooms.

The madam and her attendants stiffened the moment they saw Mu Nanjin’s Jinyiwei uniform. Their faces tensed, eyes filled with guarded wariness.

It was, after all, the Jinyiwei who had arrested Gong Xiurong not long ago. Since then, the brothel’s staff had harbored little fondness for those black-clad enforcers.

One of the male attendants whispered to the madam, “Why is there a girl in the Jinyiwei? Since when do they recruit women?”

“I heard from some high-ranking patrons that they took in a young woman recently,” the madam replied under her breath. “It must be her. Though I wonder what business she has here today.”

The attendant sneered quietly. “She’s wearing official robes. What else could she be here for except to make trouble or arrest someone?”

“Coming every few days to stir up trouble… what bad luck,” another muttered darkly.

The madam swayed her hips and approached Mu Nanjin, plastering on a honeyed smile. “My lady, your esteemed presence graces humble Xiaoqing Tower. We are truly honored by your visit.”

The madam beside her added, “Young Master Gong has requested to see her.”

The first madam blinked in surprise before quickly stepping aside to make way.